That crowd really surprised me!

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Student section can be very misleading. They pack in so tightly in the lower level. It’s definitely more students than the amount of numbered seats. So if an extra 1000 are doing that and the upper level they congregate in the lower 1/2…it always appears not full.
 

MaxyJR1 said:
We lost 1/2 the students at halftime in a 10 -10 game and it was pretty quiet the 3rd quarter. The team gave us something to cheer about down the stretch.
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Well, it was Saturday night after all. Can't wait too long to hit the bars or head to the house parties.
 




I think a lot of casual fans are shocked when they attend a Gopher game like the one we saw vs USC. This is an NFL town and everything feels so scripted and antiseptic at a Vikings game.

The energy brought by a B1G full student section is so much fun to be part of. We had friends as guests vs USC and it was fun to catch glances of them soaking in the energy and getting a chuckle out of the continuous antics in the student section.
 

Schnauzer said:
I think a lot of casual fans are shocked when they attend a Gopher game like the one we saw vs USC. This is an NFL town and everything feels so scripted and antiseptic at a Vikings game.

The energy brought by a B1G full student section is so much fun to be part of. We had friends as guests vs USC and it was fun to catch glances of them soaking in the energy and getting a chuckle out of the continuous antics in the student section.
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Had a friend (not a U grad or big Gopher fan) go to the Iowa game with me. His kid is a freshman at the U. He commented while at the game "I can see why a kid would want want to go here".
 

We had USC fans to our left in 212 around Row 22-23 or so. One set was an older couple like the Billds (I am 65), and just like us a husband and wife traveling to support their Trojans. As the time wore down and the second goal-line replay went to the Gophers, they both had that look of "resigned to defeat" we all have had more than once.

When we all went nuts when the TD was indeed called by the Ref, they actually were a little intimidated. However, after USC gave it that last shot only to be taken down by THE INTERCEPTION, they sat there and took in our sheer JOY in beating THEIR TEAM and HOW MUCH it meant TO US. First the wife and then hubby Trojan just relaxed, smiled, and took it in as we stormed the field. Our joy was contagious even for the enemy.

They came to Minneapolis to win but I believe took away something more valuable. They are now in the Big Ten, and as Walrus says "its the stinkin' conference games that count." Yes we need more than those to get into a bowl as Minnesota, but conference games are the ones with meaning.

At least for those two they will try to forget this game but will be unsuccessful. And because of it, they know they have to take the Gophers seriously even with them as blue bloods.

Very nice to think about on our side of this W. Go Gophers!
 





BilldGopher said:
211 and 212 were great on the noise front and this generation of kids gets it in the East End Zone. And yes, the team has to give the fans something to work with to get energy on first and second downs too. The start of the game set the tone that really came through at the end.

Still, last night was the first time in a while it was clear the QB was having trouble at the line with crowd noise. Intel from one of the pre-game articles or interviews actually said USC could be susceptible to a loud environment. We ran that experiment and it proved to be true.

I'll also note that USC is coming into the conference already deciding they are better than us. Engaged a number of fans (and they traveled better than PSU fans for this one) and they reminded me of Auburn fans back in 2019. Polite, clearly connected to their program, but a cut above us certainly in their minds. Traveling their band was the final straw for me and Mrs. Billd, so we amped it up. I think others had this motive too.
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As a band parent to a senior trumpet, I can confirm the USC band kids were…let’s just say not well tempered. My youngest trolled them as they marched back to their bus by running up and down their ranks hoisting a Gopher flag.
Sec 137 was bonkers at the requisite times. Everyone locked into the game. So much fun!
 

TeeBee said:
As a band parent to a senior trumpet, I can confirm the USC band kids were…let’s just say not well tempered. My youngest trolled them as they marched back to their bus by running up and down their ranks hoisting a Gopher flag.
Sec 137 was bonkers at the requisite times. Everyone locked into the game. So much fun!
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We now consider ourselves honorary band boosters after Saturday.

As an aside the march from the pre-game show to the stadium by the Plaza is one of my favorite gameday spectacles....

"Hey, Hey, What's that Sound? USC is Going Down!"... Loved it because it's true!
 



Word said:
They didn't all leave at halftime which is what you said. Start of the half 3/4 were still there. They were awesome as always.
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Wasn't there, but could it be some of the students started crowding in lower? Especially toward the end of the game? I've seen that before.
 

STPGopher said:
Wasn't there, but could it be some of the students started crowding in lower? Especially toward the end of the game? I've seen that before.
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Yes but the student butts in the seats were indeed down after halftime. Crowding in the lower can account and students in the concourse too.

Coeds in mini-skirts were really prominent for this one on the Plaza when it was 76 degrees at 5 PM. Obviously they need to pay attention to GWG in determining game dress. I attribute a fair amount of half-time attrition to those fans. No worries.
 

STPGopher said:
Wasn't there, but could it be some of the students started crowding in lower? Especially toward the end of the game? I've seen that before.
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They definitely started doing that as the 2nd half went on. Probably not at the start.
 

bonus question. Was the USC band obnoxious as they sounded on the radio? It seemed like they were trying to not only play over our band, but every third play?
 

They were up in the far northwest corner of the Visitors Side and brought enough members to have some volume. The sound also projected well from there, at least in the upper deck.

I leave it to Tee Bee to spill the tea on whether there is any kind of rules or decorum for visiting bands. If there are any, I doubt that the Trojan Marching Band was following them.
 

BilldGopher said:
They were up in the far northwest corner of the Visitors Side and brought enough members to have some volume. The sound also projected well from there, at least in the upper deck.

I leave it to Tee Bee to spill the tea on whether there is any kind of rules or decorum for visiting bands. If there are any, I doubt that the Trojan Marching Band was following them.
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I was in the opposite corner from them and could barely hear them.
 


BilldGopher said:
We now consider ourselves honorary band boosters after Saturday.

As an aside the march from the pre-game show to the stadium by the Plaza is one of my favorite gameday spectacles....

"Hey, Hey, What's that Sound? USC is Going Down!"... Loved it because it's true!
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Nice. Yes we’ve made that march every home game for 4 years. Sat it was “Whos going Trojan Hunting? WE’RE Going Trojan Hunting! MINNESOTA!”

The Band has been really good to/for our family. Memories for miles.
 

When I got home from the game I confirmed that I had sh*t stains in my drawers. Means it was a great game.
 


STPGopher said:
bonus question. Was the USC band obnoxious as they sounded on the radio? It seemed like they were trying to not only play over our band, but every third play?
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They played a lot, but they played at what I think were acceptable band times, they quit playing before the snap and so on.
 
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BilldGopher said:
I leave it to Tee Bee to spill the tea on whether there is any kind of rules or decorum for visiting bands. If there are any, I doubt that the Trojan Marching Band was following them.
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I will say during the pre game march to the stadium, the USC band was lined up in the street, blowing their instrument off-key and generally acting not cool. There aren’t any “rules” per se that I’m aware of for visiting bands. And really most opposing bands exist in a state of congenial competition and borderline comradery. Saturday was parent day and we watched USC band practice with the Pride for the national anthem. That was fine. Things turned funky right before pre game. Not a fan, and honestly I’m ok with the fact they had to fly home with an L.
 

TeeBee said:
I will say during the pre game march to the stadium, the USC band was lined up in the street, blowing their instrument off-key and generally acting not cool. There aren’t any “rules” per se that I’m aware of for visiting bands. And really most opposing bands exist in a state of congenial competition and borderline comradery. Saturday was parent day and we watched USC band practice with the Pride for the national anthem. That was fine. Things turned funky right before pre game. Not a fan, and honestly I’m ok with the fact they had to fly home with an L.
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My youngest now rooms with a former UM March Band member over in Nordeast Mpls. I'll have to ask if there's any war stories from his 4 years as small talk.
 


BilldGopher said:
They were up in the far northwest corner of the Visitors Side and brought enough members to have some volume. The sound also projected well from there, at least in the upper deck.

I leave it to Tee Bee to spill the tea on whether there is any kind of rules or decorum for visiting bands. If there are any, I doubt that the Trojan Marching Band was following them.
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The only thing obnoxious about them is the 2 songs they play over and over and over. Grateful Minnesota has several fight songs.

Go Gophers !!!!!
 

I'm finally getting to watch the game on DVR. It's translating as much louder than I recalled while being in the Bank.

Perhaps pregame beverages dulled my sense of hearing.
 

Ope3 said:
I'm finally getting to watch the game on DVR. It's translating as much louder than I recalled while being in the Bank.

Perhaps pregame beverages dulled my sense of hearing.
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Additionally, the Stripe Out looks sharp, especially under the lights.

I was skeptical these things would ever catch on, but kudos to the Marketing Dept or whatever for getting the word out and the fan base going along with plan.
 

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